10 Great Books for Dad on Father’s Day

June 14, 2013 by Books & Books Westhampton Beach

Dad would love a tie or any other gift you get him, no doubt, but our friends at Books & Books in Westhampton Beach think Carl Hiassen, Phil Jackson, James Bond and company will make for a much better Father’s Day in the Hamptons.

Bad Monkey by Carl Hiassen

Andrew Yancy—late of the Miami Police and soon-to-be-late of the Monroe County sheriff’s office—has a human arm in his freezer. There’s a logical (Hiaasenian) explanation for that, but not for how and why it parted from its owner. Yancy thinks the boating-accident/shark-luncheon explanation is full of holes, and if he can prove murder, the sheriff might rescue him from his grisly Health Inspector gig. But first, this being Hiaasen country, Yancy must negotiate an obstacle course of unpredictable events with a crew of even more unpredictable characters. Here is Hiaasen doing what he does better than anyone else: spinning a tale at once fiercely pointed and wickedly funny in which the greedy, the corrupt, and the degraders of what’s left of pristine Florida get their comeuppance in diabolically entertaining fashion.

All That Is by James Salter

The anticipated novel from PEN/Faulkner winner and acclaimed master James Salter has arrived, and it is a sweeping, deeply moving story set in the years after World War II. From his experiences as a young naval officer in battles off Okinawa, Philip Bowman returns to America and finds a position as a book editor. It is a time when publishing is still largely a private affair – a time of gatherings in fabled apartments and conversations that continue long into the night. Bowman finds that he fits perfectly in this world of dinners, deals, and literary careers. But despite his success, love eludes him. Romantic and haunting, All That Is explores a life unfolding in a world on the brink of change. It is a dazzling, sometimes devastating labyrinth of love and ambition, a fiercely intimate account of the great shocks and pleasures of being alive.

Truth In Advertising by John Kenney

Finbar Dolan is lost and lonely. Despite escaping his blue-collar Boston upbringing to carve out a mildly successful career at a Madison Avenue ad agency, he’s a bit of a mess and closing in on 40. He’s called off a wedding. Now, a few days before Christmas, he’s forced to cancel a long-postponed vacation to write, produce, and edit a Super Bowl commercial for his diaper account in record time. Unfortunately, it gets worse. Fin learns that his long-estranged, once-abusive father has fallen ill, and neither of his brothers or sister intends to visit. It’s a wake-up call for Fin to reevaluate his life choices and finally tell the truth about his past. Truth in Advertising is debut novelist John Kenney’s wickedly funny, honest, at times sardonic, and ultimately moving story about the absurdity of corporate life, the complications of love, and the meaning of family.

Son by Philip Meyer

Philip Meyer, the acclaimed author of American Rust, returns with The Son: an epic of the American West and a multigenerational saga of power, blood, land, and oil that follows the rise of one unforgettable Texas family, from the Comanche raids of the 1800s to the to the oil booms of the 20th century. Harrowing, panoramic, and deeply evocative, The Son is a fully realized masterwork in the greatest tradition of the American canon—an unforgettable novel that combines the narrative prowess of Larry McMurtry with the knife-edge sharpness of Cormac McCarthy.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together – a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism. The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story perfect for fans of Erik Larson, Timothy Egan, and Laura Hillenbrand.

The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson

Here is the magnificent conclusion to Rick Atkinson’s acclaimed Liberation Trilogy about the Allied triumph in Europe during World War II. It is the 20th century’s unrivaled epic: at a staggering price, the United States and its allies liberated Europe and vanquished Hitler. In the first two volumes of his bestselling Liberation Trilogy, Rick Atkinson recounted how the American-led coalition fought through North Africa and Italy to the threshold of victory. Now he tells the most dramatic story of all – the titanic battle for Western Europe. Atkinson’s riveting account of D-Day sets the pace for the masterly narrative that follows. With the stirring final volume of this monumental trilogy, Atkinson’s accomplishment is manifest. He has produced the definitive chronicle of the war that unshackled a continent and preserved freedom in the West.

Embers of War by Fredrik Logevall

The struggle for Vietnam occupies a central place in the history of the twentieth century, and the latest account of the Vietnam War is deserving of its recent Pulitzer Prize. The conflict drew in all the world’s powers and saw two of them attempt to subdue the revolutionary Vietnamese forces. For France, the defeat marked the effective end of her colonial empire, while for America the war left a gaping wound in the body politic that remains open to this day. Tapping into newly accessible diplomatic archives in several nations and making full use of the published literature, distinguished scholar Fredrik Logevall traces the path that led two Western nations to lose their way in Vietnam. An epic story of wasted opportunities and tragic miscalculations, Embers of War delves deep into the historical record to provide hard answers to the unanswered questions of Vietnam.

Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson

During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. Jackson was tagged as the “Zen master” half in jest by sportswriters, but the nickname speaks to an important truth: this is a coach who inspired, not goaded; who led by awakening and challenging the better angels of his players’ nature, not their egos, fear, or greed. In his quest to reinvent himself, Jackson explored everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head. This book is full of revelations about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others.

The James Bond Archives by Paul Duncan Page

Fifty years of “Bond, James Bond.” Since Sean Connery uttered those immortal words in 1962, the most dashing secret agent in the history of cinema has been charming and thrilling audiences worldwide. To celebrate 50 years of this innovative franchise, EON Productions opened their archives of photos, designs, storyboards, and production materials to editor Paul Duncan, who spent two years researching over one million images and 100 filing cabinets of documentation. The result is the most complete account of the making of the series, covering every James Bond film ever made. The stunning imagery is accompanied by an oral history recounted by over 150 cast and crew members, relating the true inside story of how the Bond films were made. Containing previously unpublished photography and artwork, as well as production memos from filming, this book is a comprehensive tribute to the legend of James Bond.

The Grilling Book by Adam Rapoport

No one anticipates summertime cooking more eagerly than the grilling enthusiasts at Bon Appétit. Now home cooks will discover their ideal grilling companion and coach in The Grilling Book. Offering more than 350 foolproof recipes, dozens of luscious full-color photographs, crystal clear illustrations, and plenty of here’s-how-to-do-it guidelines, The Grilling Book welcomes you to everything that is sensational (and sensationally simple) about grilling. Whether you’ve been grilling for years or have never bought a bag of charcoal in your life, The Grilling Book is the only book you’ll need in your backyard this summer—or any summer.

Aircraft: The Definitive Visual History by Phillip Whiteman

From the first prototypes of flying machines to today’s supersonic jets, the history and roles of aircraft are explored in this beautifully illustrated guide. Aviation enthusiasts of all stripes and ages will welcome learning more about key brands and big players from yesterday and today – whether it’s the marvels of hot air balloons or the fantastic engines of Boeing, Lockheed, and more. Planes are divided equally between military and commercial aircraft, and iconic aircraft of each era, such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Concorde, are showcased in beautifully photographed spreads with “virtual tours” that reveal the anatomy of these legendary planes.

The Audi Book and The BMW Book

One of the art world’s most esteemed publishers, teNeues, brings us two riveting car books, The Audi Book and The BMW Book. With stunning photographs, The Audi Book presents the brand’s conscious decision to always think in new ways. This forward-looking approach has led to Audi’s pioneering innovations such as the permanent all-wheel drive, aluminum construction and the TDI engine. Since 1909, and all throughout its eventful history, the company has consistently produced cars that excite drivers, and The Audi Book offers a fascinating overview of more than a hundred years of automotive history. The BMW Book is the ultimate homage to this iconic brand, celebrating BMW’s perfect synthesis of technology and design. This compelling illustrated volume gives the readers privileged insight into the unique development of this brand: fascinating motorcycles and automobiles, spectacular motor sports, impressive architecture, as well as visions for cars of the future. If you dad loves cars, this is the perfect Father’s Day treat!